Electrical switch



Ju y 15, 1952 M. A. PAs-ri'ick 2,603,733

ELECTRICAL SWITC-H Filed July 31. 1947 4 g y W INVENTOR. MIC/JAE! ,4. /JfiTP/CK ,4 TTOPA/FY I This application is ierred to, prises companion members that are relatively rotatable" in registration on acylinderof registry between members.

Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE r 12,603,733 V I, I ELECTRICAL SWITCH Michael A. Pastrick, Perth Amboy,'N. J. Application July 31, 1947, Serial No. 765,220

12 Claims.- (01. zoo- 167) (Granted rmaer the act of March 3, 1883, as.

. 1 a This invention pertains to the art of electrical switches, and it comprises a novel switch, the disclosed embodiment thereof comprising a throw switch.

a continuation of my copending application, Ser. No. 644,984, filed February 1, 1946, for a Switch, now abandoned. The switch of my co-pending application reand of the present application, com- The respective companion members accordingly comprise a rotor and a stator, the rotor being rotatable companion to the stator to operate the switch to open or close one or more electrical circuits selectively.

One of the members comprises a" surface of cylindrical contour coincident with the cylinder of registry between the members. I The other member comprises a notch that projects into the body of the member in a direction away-from the cylinder of registry, the notch extending lengthwise of the cylinder of registry. The cylindrical surface is of dielectric material, the preferred practice being to make the member embodying the cylindrical surface of dielectric material. The dielectric cylindrical surface contains inserts of conductor material disposed at intervals lengthwise of'the cylinder of registry. The inserts constitute electrical contacts, and each contact is extended through the member for the several contacts toprovide terminals for one or more electrical circuits.

The notch of the companion member contains and confines a contactor in the form of a roller that extends far enough lengthwise of the cylinder of registry to reach the several inserts, disposed at intervals lengthwise of the cylinder of registry. The roller surface may be cylindrical and of uniform diameter throughout its length. It provides contact cylinders disposed at intervals along its length that correspond with the intervals between inserts disposed lengthwise of the cylinder of registry, the contact cylinders of the contactor being disposed to engage the contacts formed by the inserts.

The internal surface of the notch that engages the contactor is of dielectric material to avoid short circuiting between contact cylinders of the contactor, the preferred practice being to make the member embodying the notch of dielectric material. Resilient means in the notch is disposed in backing relationship with the contactor contained in the notch, the resilient means operating to. press the conta'ctcylinders of the rolleramended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) frictional engagement with the cylindricalsurface -'of the member containing the contacts. Rotation of the rotor relative to the stator causes the roller of one member to roll smoothly on the cylindrical surface of the 5 other memberf and causesthe contact-cylinders 'of the roller to' roll radially towards the cylinder of registry, and into smoothly into or out of contacting engagement with their respective contacts. In this manner the contact-cylinders operate to close a circuit throughthe contacts. a

'A number of different-type contactors can be used, depending upon the characteristicsofthe circuit or circuits that are desired to be controlled by the switch.

One construction of roller comprises a continuous-conductor contactor operable to close a circuit between different spaced apart contacts. It consists of a piece of conductor material that is long enough to bridge the distance between contacts. Those portions at least of its surface that are located to register with and engage'the contacts are cylindrical, enabling them to roll smoothly on the cylindrical surface ofthe companion member into or out of engagement with the contacts.

A multiple-contact contactor of different construction'com prises spaced apart contact cylinders of conductor material separated and held in spaced relationship by a dielectric piece. The contact cylinders are positioned in the contactor for registration and engagement with respective contacts of the companion member, and the" contact cylinders of this type contactor are available as terminals of a circuit which is desired to be connected with the circuit of the terminals of the contacts of the other member. 1 7 The switch of the disclosure embodies both types of contactors 'hereinbefore remarked, and these are'contained in respective notches spaced apart circumferentially of the cylinder of registry between the rotor and the stator. The different contactors'are positioned for alternativeengagement with, contacts in the companion member by rotation ofthe rotor relative to the stator. The switch of'the disclosure is adapted to be used as an ion-offf switch for an electrical circuit comprising a line and an electrical load in the line.

The switch is usable as. alight switch in a room, and thefcircuit" controlled bythe switch includes a glow-tube disposed in .the handle of the switch, the glow-tube being operated to glow when the .switch is thrown to oil position. The present invention includes a switch handle with novelcharacteristics. j 1

The principles of the invention, antithestrutture and operation of the embodiment of the disclosure, will be more fully understood from the accompanying drawings, to which attention is now directed. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a switch embodying the invention, the switch being in off position, and the near side plate being removed to expose the operating parts to view,

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the switch in on position, 7

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a face view of the switch in position for use attached to a wall or the like surface, parts being shown broken away for clearness of illustration,

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on line E6 of Fig. 5, and

' Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram, partly schematic,

'of an electrical circuit embodying the disclosed switch.

The switch illustrated in the drawings, which constitutes one practical application of the prin ciples of the invention, comprises the companion members H and 2 constituting a rotor and a stator, respectively. The'rotor H is rotatable in the stator |2 in registration therewith on a cylinder of registry.

In the construction shown, the rotor II is cylindrical and is preferably constructed of any suitable dielectric material. For example, the rotor II can be manufactured as a molded plasticpiece. The stator comprises the cylindrical ,surface l5 that coincides with the cylinder of registry between the members and I2, the diameter of the rotor I being slightly smaller for it to rotate freely in the cylindrical surface l5.

In the disclosed embodiment, the periphery of the rotor H is provided with the notches l1 and I8 projecting into the body of the rotor in a direction away from the cylinder of registry, the notches I! and 8 extending lengthwise of the cylinder of registry. The notches l1 and I8 are spaced apart circumferentially by an amount determined by the throw of the switch. The notch contains and confines the contactor 20, and the notch It! contains and confines the contactor 2| in a like manner. The contactors and 2| are rollers of different types, being a continuous-conductor type 20 and a multiple-contactor type 2|.

Each of the notches I! and I8 contains resilient means disposed in backing relationship with its roller 20 or 2|, the resilient means operating to press the contactors 2B and 2| radially outwardly of their notches towards the cylinder of registry and against the cylindrical surface l5 of the stator |2 in rolling engagement therewith. In the notch the springs 22 comprise the resilient means backing the roller 20, and in the notch I8 the springs 23 and 24 comprise the resilient means backing the roller 2|.

The cylindrical surface. 5 of the stator 2 is of dielectric material, and pursuant to this purpose the stator I2 is preferably constructed of dielectric material. The stator l2 can be manufactured conveniently as a molded plastic piece. Inserts 26 of a conductor material are disposed in the surface l5, to constitute contactors spaced apart lengthwise of the cylinder of registry as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The conductor material of the inserts 26 preferably extends through the body of the stator l2 as shown, to provide binding posts 27 or other suitable means to serve as terminals for attaching electrical wiring to the switch.

The continuous conductor contactor 20, Fig. 4, of the disclosed embodiment, comprises an elongated piece of conductor material. At least portions spaced apart lengthwise of the contactor 20 are cylindrical for rolling engagement with the cylindrical surface |5 of the stator l2,

the contactor 20 of the disclosure being continsubstantially flush with the cylindrical surface I5, being preferably raised therefrom a slight amount for good electrical contact, the amount being attained for example by the cord of the arc that the flat faces of the inserts 26 describe. See Figs. 1 and 3. When the contactor 20 rolls into contacting engagement with the contacts comprising the inserts 26, it closes electrical circuit across the terminals 21.

The contactor 2| provides contacts respectively companion to the terminals 21, and these are in an auxiliary circuit in series with the line that is connected to the terminals 27. Pursuant'to this purpose the multiple-contact type contactor 2|, Fig. 2, is an elongated member comprising contact cylinders 29 spaced apart lengthwise of itself, and held in spaced relationship by .the

dielectric piece 39. The contact cylinders 29 are held with reference to the cylinderof registry located to register respectively with the contacts 26 and to roll into and out of contacting engagement therewith when the rotor is rotated relative to the stator 2.

'In the case of the continuous-conductor contactor 2B, the springs 22 are seated in the dielectric material of the rotor II, as illustrated in Fig. 4. 1 In the embodiment of the disclosure, the contact-cylinders 29 of the multiple-contact contactor 2| serve as a switch for an auxiliary light circuit through the glow tube 32 in the handle 33 of the rotor Contacts 28 are provided, seated in suitable pockets 3| which are formed in the rotor H, for example, in the molding operation during their manufacture. The contacts 28 comprise short lengths of tubing, made of any suitable conductor material with resilient properties,

with and with the auxiliary circuit.

The rotor II is provided with a handle comprising a body member 33 of translucent material, having a cavity ofa size and shape to receive andhold the glow-tube 32. The dielectric'plate the contacts 26 of the stator !2.

34 encloses the-tube 32 in the-handle body 33,

andprovides a convenient terminal board for the terminals 35, of the tube 32:. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that'the conductors for'theytube 32 extend fromengagement with the terminals 35 at the exterior surface of the handle 33* inwardly into the cavity and to electrodes ofthetube 32. There arenoloose conductor wires, extending from the exterior of the handlest. The terminals'35 can be; conveniently formed of, drops of solder that engage conductor ends-projected through the plate--34 to the exterior surface of. the handle33, theterminals 35 beinglocated on the surface of the-handle where they will engage contacts 28 when the handleis positioned in the. rotor H;

The rotor H. is prov-ided with the slot- '38 to receiveandaccommodate the handle" 33. The

stator i2, is preferably provided with the flatteneel. face. 39 that provides-a: gap in the cylinder l) between the; edges 40, thegap 'between'edges -40, being wide enough: for the handle; 33 to pass between them. The cylindrical surface I5 is greater than a semicircleyand operatesto confinethe rotor H in. the stator l2 as shown in Figs. 1' and 3.. The side platesflpreferably of dielectric material are attachable. to the side sur- .faces ofthe stator 12 by-means of the screws 43 {or example. tocomplete confinement-of'the rotor l=linthe-statori I I q T-he handle 33 is provided with the shoulders 50 that arepreierablyformed arcuate as shown to conform with thezcurv-ature of the'cylinder I5 of the sttator 12. It will be noted that the contacts 28 are confined within the pockets 3! of .the rotor Ii, and will not. come outwhen the l handle 33 is removed from its-slot 38. When the handlefiiids inserted into the slot38 it opposes the resiliency of the ccntactsazfi, which operate to press its \shoulders'50 into engagement with the cylindrical surfacelS. Recesses 5|- are provideo: in the edges 4B-to receive the stem ofthe handle. 33 when it is in the off position of Fig. l or the on position of Fig. 3. In the intermediateposition of Fig. 6, the handle 33 can be pulled outotthe slot 38 110 beremoved from the rotor It for replacement or: repair, for example, the

handle being removable between the edges 40 when in this intermediate position. In'the intermediate position of Fig. 6, bothcontactors and 2| are out of contacting engage-mentwith In: either the offf or fon positions of Figs. 1 and 3,1whenthe contactors' 2i! and 2|. respectively care in contacting engagement with the contacts Ziofvthe stator l2, the shoulders 56 of the handle 33 are held under: the edges to prevent removal of the handle 33 from the rotor ll". This prevents damage or injury by the switch being'tanipered with when'the handle 33 is removed.

A convenient means formounting thesw-itch of the disclosed practical embodiment, when it is to be used as. a wall-outlet switch, is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The switch, is attached to the escutcheon plate 65, by the screws 45, for example, which fasten the escutcheon platej li to the stator'il'. The switch is fastened to the wall outlet by means of the screws 41 theescutcheon plate 351 being preferably provided withthe slots '48 whichv adapt the switch to the standard switch The switch pate 55 may be provided, tube attached to the escutcheonplate- 45 by means of the screws 56. The switch plate maybe of standard construction, and the escutcheon plate drilled and. tapped for the screws 56- to adapt 6 the switch to the standard switch plate. The

switch plate-55 includes the. slot 58v through which thehandle 33 projects into exposed positionfor inanual operation of theswitch. The

s1ot58operates to engage. the shoulders) '50 of .the;.handle.; 33- when the switch plate 55 is attached, requiring the switch plate 55 to be re- ,movedt-whenit is desired to replaceor repair the handle33. The handle 33, accordingly, is an article-of manufacture that can be conveniently replaced in the switch. I 1

The particular usefor theswitch embodiment shown-in thedrawings is for a line with a load 52in electrical circuit therewith.

of Figs- 1 and 2, and this operates ,to energize the load '52.. When theswitch is thrown. to "01? lpo'sitionoi FigsBandA the line circuit is closed through themul'tiple-contact contactorl i, placingQthegIQW-tube 32' ancl'the resistor 36 in: series withthe load 52-. v liiiitlraresistor 36selectedfor proper perfo rmarice. of the gio'wtub'e 32, the resistance in the load circuit is so high, that the load 52 draws insuiiicienticurrentffor itsoperation., ,In the case, of theload beingone ormore electric lights; either including or not...including various other electrical apparatus, the current. is too low to produce incandescenceoi the a electric lights, and. the. current consumption of the circuit is accordingly very.,low.v The glowtuhel 32,, accordingly, is inexpensive to operate. .The embodiment. disclosed in the drawings illustrates one practical application of the-invention, but the, disclosure is notto he construedas 1imiting the invention. The scope-of the invention is. determined by the accompanying claims. r

. Y Theinvention describedherein may be manufacturedandnsedgbtpor for-the Government of the United States; ef hmericae for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereonor therefor;

I claim:

In an electricalswitch, companion members comprising a rotor'and a stator rotatable relative to each other in registration on a cylinder of registry between themembers, one member comprising a cylindrical surface of dielectric material co1ncident with; the cylinder of registry, inserts of conductor material intthecylindrical surface spaced apartlengthwise-thereof and comprising v electrical contacts; the other member'comprising notch projecting away from-the cylinder of registryandextendinglengthwise thereof; the notch comprisingdielectricwal-la a roller confined in the notch and; comprising con-tact cylinders of conductor-material spaced'aparb lengthwise of the roller andofthe-cylincler of registry inrposition to register each with acomp'anion' contact of the other. member, resilientmeans inthe notch in backing relationship-with the roller and operatingto press it radially against thecylindrical surface of the other member, and means to rotate-the rotor relative to the stator 'to'roll the contact .lcylinders: of the. rolleralternatively into and outof engagementwith their respective companion contacts of-the other-member. I

- 2;.I anelectrical switch; companion members- 7 or dielectric materialcomprising a. rotor and. a

stator rotatably relative to each other in registration on a cylinder of registry between the members, one member comprising a cylindrical surface coincident with the cylinder of registry, inserts of conductor material'in the cylindrical surface spaced apart lengthwise thereof and comprising electrical contacts, the other member comprisinga notch projecting away from the cylinder of registry and extending lengthwise thereof, a roller confined in the notch and comprising contact cylinders of conductor material spaced apart lengthwise of the roller and'of the cylinder of registry in position to register each with a companion contact of the other member,

resilient means inithe notchin backing relationship with the roller and operating to press it radially against the cylindrical surface of the "der of registry between the members, thestator comprising a cylindrical surface of dielectric material coincident with the cylinder of registry,

inserts "of conductor material inthe cylindrical surface spaced apart lengthwise thereof and comprising electrical contacts, the rotor comprising a notch projecting away from the cylindrical of registry and extending lengthwise thereof, the notch comprising dielectric walls, a roller confined in the notch and comprising contact cylinders of conductor material spaced apart lengthwise of the roller and of the cylinder of registry in position to register each with a companion contact of the stator, resilient means in the notch in backing relationship with the roller and operating to press it radially against the cylindrical surface of the other member, and means to rotate the rotor relative to the stator to roll the contact cylinders of the roller alternatively into and out'of engagement with their respective companion contacts of the stator.

4.-In an electrical switch, companion members comprising a rotor and a stator rotatable relative to each other in registration on a cylinder of registry between the members, one member comprising a cylindrical surface of dielectric material coincident with the cylinder of registry, insert of conductor material in the cylindrical surface spaced apart lengthwise thereof and comprising electrical contacts, the other member comprising a notch projecting away from the cylinder of registry and extending lengthwise .thereof'; the notch comprising dielectric walls, a roller confined in the notch, the roller comprising contact cylinders of conductor material and a dielectric piece holding them spaced apart lengthwise of the roller, the contact cylinders of the rollerbeing held spaced apart lengthwise'of the cylinderof registry in position to register each-with a companion contact of the other member, resilient means in the notch in backing relationship with the roller and operating to press it radially'against the cylindricalsurface of the other-member, and means to rotate the rotor relative to the stator to roll the contact cylinders of the roller alternatively into and out of engagement 'with their respective companion contacts of the other member.

5. man electrical switch,companionmembers .comprising a rotor anda stator rotatable relative 8 to each other in registrationon a cylinder of registry between the members, one member comprising a cylindrical surface of dielectric material coincident with the cylinder of registry, inserts of conductor material in the cylindrical surface spaced apart lengthwise thereof and comprising electrical contacts, the other member comprising a notch projecting away from the cylinder of registry and extending lengthwise thereof, the notch comprising dielectric walls, a roller confined in the notch, the roller comprising contact cylinders of conductor-materialand a dielectric piece holding them spaced apart lengthwise of the roller, the contact cylinder of the roller being held spaced apart lengthwise of the cylinder of registry in position to register each with a companion contact of the other member, terminals companion tothe contact cylinders of the roller and positioned in the notch-containing member through the body thereof opposite the notch, a spring for each contact cylinder of the roller in backing relationship therewith and extending through the body of the member in electrical circuit with the contact cylinder and its companion terminal in the I notch containing "memben the springs operating to press the contact cylinders of the roller radially against the cylindrical surface of the other member, and means to rotate the rotor relative to the st'atorto roll the contact cylinders of the roller alternatively'into and out of engagement with their respective companion contacts.

6. In an electrical switch, companion'members comprising a rotor and a stator rotatable relative to each other in registration on a cylinder of registry between the members, one member comprising a cylindrical'surface of dielectric material coincident with the cylinder of registry, inserts of conductor material in the cylindrical surface spaced apart lengthwise thereof and comprising electrical contacts, the other member comprising a notch projecting away from the cylinder of registry and extending lengthwise thereof, the notch comprising dielectric walls, a roller of conductor material confined in the notch and comprising contact cylinders spaced apart lengthwise of the roller and of the cylinder of registry in position to register each With a companion contact of the other member, resilient means in the notch in backing relationship with the roller and operating to press it radially with its contact cylinders engaging the cylindrical surface of the other member, and means to rotate the rotor relative to the stator to roll the contact cylinders of the roller alternatively into and out of engagement with their respective companion contacts of the other member.

7. In an electrical switch, companion members comprising a rotor and a stator rotatable relative to each other in registration on a cylinder of registry between the members, one member comprising a cylindrical surface of dielectric material coincident with the cylinder of registry, inserts of conductor material in the cylindrical surface spaced apart lengthwise thereof and comprising electrical contacts, the other member comprising a plurality of notches with dielectric Walls and being disposed spaced apart circumferentially of the member, each notch projecting away from the cylinder of prising a continuous piece of conductor-"material formed to include contact cylinders spaced apart lengthwise of the contactor, the contact cylinders being disposed in position to register each with a companion contact of the other member when the contactor thereof is confined in the notch, resilient means in the notch containing the continuous-conductor contactor and operating to press it radially to engage its contact cylinders with the cylindrical surface of the other member, the other contactor comprising contact cylinders of conductor material and a dielectric piece holding them spaced apart lengthwise of the contactor, the contact cylinders of the second contactor being held spaced apart lengthwise of the cylinder of registry in position to register each with a companion contact of the other member when the second contactor is confined in its notch, terminals companion to the contact cylinders of the second contactor and positioned in the notch-containing member through the body thereof opposite the second contactor, a spring for each contact cylinder of the second contactor in backing relationship therewith and extending through the body of the member each in electrical circuit with its contact cylinder and companion terminal, a translucent handle carried by the rotor, an electric light contained in the handle and being connected electrically in circuit with the terminals companion to the contact cylinders of the second contactor, the handle being operable to rotate the rotor relative to the stator to roll the contact cylinders of the several contactors each selectively into and out of engagement with and the contactors severally alternatively into and out of contacting engagement with their respective companion contacts of the other member.

8. In a switch as defined in claim 1, the means for rotating the rotor relative to the stator com- K prising a handle detachably attached to the rotor, positioning the rotor in predetermined position relative to the stator with the contactor of one member out of engagement with the contacts of the other operating to locate the handle for removal from the switch.

9. In a switch as defined in claim 7, the handle being positionable for removal from the switch when the rotor is positioned with both contactors of the one member out of engagement with the contacts of the other member.

10. A removable handle for an electrical switch comprising a body member of translucent material, an electron discharge glow tube contained in the handle, the body member comprising a cavity of a size and shape to receive the tube and hold it positioned in the handle, a set of contacts attached to the external surface of the handle in position for each contact to engage a companion contact in the switch by the handle being positioned in the switch, and conductors for each contact of the handle extending inwardly of its exterior into the cavity, each conductor extending from a contact to an electrode of the tube.

11. A removable handle for an electrical switch comprising a body member of translucent material, an electron discharge glow tube contained in the handle, the body member comprising a cavity of a size and shape to receive the tube, a closure member enclosing the tube in the handle and comprising a set of contacts attached to the external surface thereof in position for each contact to engage a companion contact in the switch by the handle being positioned in the switch, and a conductor extending from each contact of the handle inwardly from the exterior of the handle into the cavity and to an electrode of the tube.

12. For an electrical line with a load in circuit therewith, a switch comprising a stator and a rotor, the stator comprising terminals connected to the line in series with the load, the rotor comprising a translucent handle for operating it, an electron discharge glow tube in the handle, and "on" and off contactors in the rotor positionable alternatively in electrical circuit with the terminals under operation of the rotor by the handle, the on contactor compricing a continuous conductor, the "011 contactor comprising contacts separated by insulation each companion to a terminal, an electrical circuit from the contacts of the "011 contactor through the glow tube and comprising a resistor in series with the tube.

MICHAEL A. PASTRICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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